Some 87 percent of Americans age 12 to 17 were going online in 2004, up from 73 percent in 2000, according to a "Teens and Technology" report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, writes ClickZ. Moreover, the frequency of teens' online usage has increased 51 percent since 2000, and 51 percent of online teens live in homes with broadband internet access - and about the same amount go online every day.

Teens also use a range of online content and services. Email is the number-one activity at 89 percent, down from 92 percent in 2000. Visits to entertainment websites (TV, music, sport and movies) were noted by 84 percent (up from 83 percent in 2000). About 81 percent of teens go online to play games, up from only 66 percent. Checking online news (76 percent), purchasing online (43 percent) and getting health information (31 percent) were also up.

In comparison with adults, teen play more online games, IM more, and have a higher propensity to go online to get news on current events.

Some 75 percent of online teens IM - and more than just for basic messaging. Half the respondents said they have included a link to an article, 45 percent said they had used IM to send a document or photo, and 31 percent sent music and video.

Though teens' technology use is growing, the landline telephone remains the top method of communication, used by 52 percent of all teens. Instant messaging came in second at 24 percent; cell phones at 12 percent; followed by email (five percent) and text messaging (three percent).

Older teen girls who were surveyed, ages 15 to 17, are among the most intense users of the internet and cell phones, including text messaging, according to the AP.

Still, as wired as many young people are, about 3 million of them remain without internet access. Many of them are from low-income families, and a disproportionate number are black, the survey found.